Southern California -- this just in

Arsonist arrested after napkins are set on fire at In-N-Out Burger [Updated]

December 21, 2012 | 12:16
pm

A 71-year-old convicted arsonist was arrested Wednesday after
allegedly burning napkins outside of an In-N-Out on Brand Boulevard in Glendale because
he was “trying to have a good time,” police said.

Gerald Harris of Glendale was taken into custody about 11:19 p.m. on suspicion of
committing arson, police said. He has been convicted of the same crime twice before in
the past 10 years, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court
records.

Harris, a registered sex offender, was discharged on Dec. 7
from serving parole for the same offense, according to Glendale police
officials.

Officers saw Harris allegedly lighting a stack of
napkins on fire before throwing them in the air in the 100 block of
South Brand Boulevard, according to police reports.

Fearing the napkins could set fire to nearby businesses due to windy conditions, police immediately detained him.

Harris allegedly told officers he was throwing the napkins because he “wanted to put on a show,” police said.

He
was allegedly lighting the napkins with a lighter, according to police. Authorities later
found a matchbox and candle on the ground near his belongings.

Harris
has a lengthy criminal history, with several convictions for
trespassing, battery, vandalism, theft, public drunkenness and three
convictions for indecent exposure, according to court records. He has
also been charged twice with failing to register as a sex offender.

Police reported that Harris has been complying with sex offender registration requirements.

[Updated 3:54 p.m.: A previous version of this post lacked Harris' first name and stated incorrectly that he was a registered arsonist. ]